Abu dhabi: First Lady Kim Hea Kyung promoted halal-certified Korean food Wednesday as she accompanied President Lee Jae Myung on his visit to the United Arab Emirates, sampling the popular Buldak spicy chicken noodles. Kim attended a promotional event for Korean cuisine at the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi, which showcases halal-certified Korean products that meet regulations permissible under Islamic law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim visited an exhibition booth featuring Buldak spicy chicken noodles by Korean company Samyang Foods, asking whether ramyeon is one of the items that require halal certification. "It's hot but delicious," said Kim, wearing a traditional hanbok. Launched in 2012, the spicy instant noodles are now sold in about 100 countries, including the United States, China, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Kim also sampled halal-certified Korean beef and pledged to make efforts to promote exports of Korean food in the overseas market. "Food becomes familiar the more you eat it, and that is the power of K-food and K-culture," she said. Last month, South Korea began exporting its premium "hanwoo" beef to the UAE, making the Middle Eastern country the fifth export market for the prized meat.

Having authored a Korean food recipe book in 2018, the first lady has presented herself as a cultural ambassador for Korean cuisine and has emphasized the importance of promoting Korean food overseas. On Tuesday, Kim had dinner with the mother of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan - who is also the wife of the UAE's inaugural president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - at her invitation, vice presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo said in a written briefing.

During the meeting with Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, Kim expressed her respect for her lifelong dedication to women's empowerment and family, and invited her to visit South Korea, Jeon said.